MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon –– President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday reiterated his stand against the proliferation of illegal drugs and raised it to a “security threat” if it is not countered.

The President said it again as he led the inauguration of the Northern Mindanao Wellness and Reintegration Center (NMWRC) here.

Mr. Duterte unveiled the marker for the facility, which sits on a five-hectare land donated by the City of Malaybalay.

According to the Department of Health (DoH), the drug rehabilitation center was donated by the Friends of the Philippines Foundation (FPF). It has 576-bed capacity.

The Chief Executive said he is “eternally grateful to a great philanthropist, Mr. Kho, together with his son.”

Kitson Kho is the founder of the Friends of the Philippines Foundation, while Jose Kho serves as its President.

“Everyday, my police and soldiers die as they combat the drug campaign. I have raised the matter of drug contamination as a security threat to the country. It is a security threat to the country,” the Chief Executive said.

Duterte pledged during his third State of the Nation Address (SoNA) that the illegal drugs war will not be sidelined despite the criticisms it receives from the opposition.
During the affair, Mr. Duterte also declared he is mulling to send a frigate if kidnapped Filipinos in Libya are hurt.

The Chief Executive will bring the matter up in a command conference next week “if they (kidnappers) begin to hurt” three Filipinos abducted last month in Libya.

The President also took the opportunity to reiterate his commitment to every Filipino his deserved benefits from government funds.

“My order to Secretary of Budget and Management Benjamin Diokno is to spread the money of the Republic of the Philippines so that all will benefit,” Mr. Duterte said. “No, no, no political color.”